Getting SSD ready for Win10

[CU]

Looking at getting a 512gig SSD or maybe 256GB SSD (but that may be to small for me) for Win10. Does a 75gig OS / software partition and the rest as a steam / games partitions sound about right?

Non game software like office, MSVS, dvdfab, handbrake, vlc, etc would be on the OS partition as they are small and I don't care if they have to be reinstalled with the OS if I need to do a clean install. Also a clean install would clean out all the small system utilities one might install and forget about. Games would be on the 2nd larger partition as I don't won't to have to re-download them or lose save games, settings, mods, etc.

I also heard Win10 can reset itself back to fresh install, so maybe I don't even need to split the drive up.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I also heard Win10 can reset itself back to fresh install, so maybe I don't even need to split the drive up.

Actually Win8(.1) can do that also. There are two levels, one which only resets Windows, and the other which effectively does a clean install.

You are of course aware that Steam games can be backup'd to another disk? Can use a standard HDD for that (or even an external one), if you don't want to/can not re-download...

 

[CU]

Actually Win8(.1) can do that also. There are two levels, one which only resets Windows, and the other which effectively does a clean install.

Didn't know that as I have been running Win7. I need to google and do some reading on that feature. If the second option blows away the windows directory that would seem like it would be a clean install while leaving program files and users intact. I would no longer worry about making a system image then either. Just backup users and be happy.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Just use 1 partition.

And get 480/500/512GB, its so cheap so no need to not to.

 

[Topweasel]

Didn't know that as I have been running Win7. I need to google and do some reading on that feature. If the second option blows away the windows directory that would seem like it would be a clean install while leaving program files and users intact. I would no longer worry about making a system image then either. Just backup users and be happy.

First option is what you are describing all windows data is reloaded (and updates need to be rerun). The Return to Factory option is basically a complete wipe/reload of Windows 8(10) with full data loss.

 

[CU]

Sounds like one partition and backing up the user directory in case of drive failure is the best and simplest approach. Especially considering Win8(10) can reload itself without killing user data if something goes bad in windows or you just want to do some spring cleaning.

The only reason I can see wanting to partition the drive now would be to run multiple OS's which I don't plan to do. Sounds almost to good, what I am I missing?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

First option is what you are describing all windows data is reloaded (and updates need to be rerun). The Return to Factory option is basically a complete wipe/reload of Windows 8(10) with full data loss.

Yup. That's all there is to it.

Do make a proper backup also. Things can, and do, go wrong occasionally.

 

[CU]

Yup. That's all there is to it.

Do make a proper backup also. Things can, and do, go wrong occasionally.

Yeah, I plan to backup my user directory weakly or daily.